How to identify individual cetaceans in the San Francisco Bay.
Naturalist’s Notebook: Whale, Dolphin and Porpoise ID Guide
June 23, 2022 •
John Muir Laws
Naturalist and illustrator John Muir Laws is the author of the Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada and Sierra Birds: A Hiker's Guide. Learn more and find class schedules at johnmuirlaws.com.
The Amazing Color-Changing Lupine
April 7, 2022 •
Look for the blue blossoms of Lupinus chamissonis all along California’s coast.
Naturalist’s Notebook: A Plant That Relies on a Mushroom
January 18, 2022 •
The sugarstick is a parasitic plant that relies on the Western Matsutake mushroom.
A Guide to Bay Area Cloud Watching
October 13, 2021 •
What do you see there in the sky?
Naturalist’s Notebook: Fire Pines
June 23, 2021 •
A visual explanation of how fire helps release the seeds of knobcone, bishop, and Monterey pine trees, plus a fun experiment to try at home!
Urban Rat Watcher’s Guide
March 30, 2021 •
Rats don’t have the best reputation, but you’ve gotta respect these adaptable survivors! Here’s how to identify your city’s rats.
A Seasonal Whale Finder for California
January 3, 2021 •
When to find and how to identify the three whales that regularly visit the California coast.
Naturalist’s Notebook: Listen to Forest Owls
September 27, 2020 •
If you go into the woods and listen, you may hear great horned owl duets, the trill of western screech owls, toots of northern saw-whet owls, or the daytime call of the northern pygmy owl.
Naturalist’s Notebook: Irises Through Time
June 21, 2020 •
Try tracking a single iris over time.
Naturalist’s Notebook: Chestnut-Backed Chickadees
March 24, 2020 •
Three subspecies of chestnut-backed chickadee inhabit the Bay Area. But the populations are merging.